Chain-making machine.



' No. 699,760. Patentedmay I3, 1902.

' w. L. Junson.

cIIAIN MAKING MAc'IIINE.

(Application led June 22,-1'901.) (No Model.) B Sheets-Sheet I.

Patented-.May I3, |902. w. vl.. Junsnn. CHAIN MAKING MACHINE.-

(Application H led June 22,l 1901.) (No Model.)

8 Sheets--Sheet `2 h5' Patented may I3, |902. w. L. JunsoN. CHAIN MAKING MACHINE.

(Application led June 22, 1901.)

(No Model.)

Y8 Sheets-Sheet 3.

LUM @wha Patented May4 I3, |902.

` No. 699,760. I

W. L. JUDSON.

CHAIN MAKING MACHINE.

(Application led June 22, 1901.)

8 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

'Patented May I3, |992.

w. L. Junson; CHAIN MAKINGv MACHINE.

(Application led June 22, 1901.)

(No Model.)

#www

Patented -May I3, |902.,

W. L. JUDSON.

CHAIN MAKING MACHINE.

(Application Bled June 22, 1901.)

48 Sheets-Sheet 6.

(Nu'wlodel.)

Patented May I3, |902.

` W. L. JUDSON.

CHAIN MAKING MACHINE.

(Application led June 22, 1901.)

8 Sheets-Shet 7.

(No Model.)

Patented May I3, 1902.

w. L. Juslm. CHAIN MAKING` MACHINE.

(Application filed-June 22, 1901.)

s sheets-sheet a.

(No Model.)

UNITED STATIisL wIIITcoMB I.. Jenson,

PATENT OFFICE.

or cI-IIoAGo, ILLINOIS.

CHAIN-MAKINGvMACl-IINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 699,760, dated Mayd, 1902.

` Appiicaiontiea rune 22,1901. saranno. 65,556. d10 model.)

To @M whom t my concern,.-

Be it known that LNVHITCOMB L. Jonson, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Chi-f cago, in the county of fCook and State of 1lli nois, have invented certain new and useful 'Improvements in Chain-Making Machines;

and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and efxactdescription of the in vention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itv appertains to make and use the same.

My invention has for its especial object to provide an automatic machine for forming chains of the character described in my prior United States patents-to wit, No. 504,037, August 29, 1893,7and No. 557,207, March 31, 1896, both entitled Shoe-fastenings. In the commerciall form lofthe fastenings disclosed in said patents the interlocking chains are made up of hooks and links. The links are formed from staples, the prongs of which are passed through leyes of the pairs of links and are then clenched to complete the links and connect the hooks. The machine in its most approvedformis automatic in its action; but many ofthefeatures thereof may be used to great advantage in machines which are not automatic or which are partially automatic.

The automatic machine illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter specifically described may be briey outlined as follows: The hooks are placed, by hand or otherwise, in magazines, by whichrthey are held alined and properly spaced apart. A plurality of these hook-magazines are provided, and the loaded magazines are by a rotary gravity-actuated magazine holder and cooperating guides successively moved into position to deliver the series of hooks held thereby to an intermittently-Inovable feed-screw which eX- tends parallel to the delivered series of hooks. Vhen 011e magazine is, under the action of the feed-screw, emptied of its hooks, it will under the overpoising weight of the several `loaded magazines'be thrown onward out of delivering position, and the next following .loaded magazine'will take its place in posi' tion to deliver its hooks to the feed-screw.

Under the action of the feed-screw and coperating guides the hooks are intermittently fed while held properly spacedto and past an `assembling-point, at which assembling-point rthe `link-forming staples are applied. The link-forming staples are held in a stack by a supply-holder which delivers the saine one at a .time to the assembling-point with their prongs ,in linewith eyes of the pair of hooks which at ,the gtime are positioned at the assemblingpoint. A reciprocating plunger coperates with the delivery end of the stapleholder to feed the staples one at a time into the eyes of the positioned pair of hooks. While the inserted staple is held by the feeding-plunger the ends thereof are partially clenched by a pair of clenching-pincers, which are moved with a properly-timed action. At a later step in the feed movement of the chains the links are completed by a pair of coperating reverselymovable clenching-dies, which complete the clenching of the ends of the applied staples. While the hooks are held stationary by the feed-screw a plurality of spacing-blades are moved between certain of the hooks which are in the vicinity of the assembling-point, to more accurately space and more rmly hold the hooks while the staples are being applied and their ends clenched to form the links. One of these so-called spacingblades works directly in front of the pincers and assists in holding the applied staples while their ends are being bent by the pincers. Another of the blades works between the clenchingdies and serves also as a former or anvil to assist in giving the proper form to the finished link.

Under the action of the machine so far indicated a continuous chain would be formed. However, by means of a so-called cut-out device, which may be Variably set, chain-sections of any desired length may be formed. This cut-out device operates at predetermined intervals to cause the staple-feeding plunger to skip a feed movement, and therebylto omit,

a staple from the chain.

Vith the foregoing outline in mind it will be easy to follow the detailed 'description which will now be given.

The machine is illustrated in the 'accomv side thereof. Fig. 2 is a perspective view IOO with some parts broken away and others removed, showing the principal mechanism of the machine viewed from the front thereof. Fig. 3 is a View, partly in horizontal section and partlyin plan and with some parts broken away and others removed, showing the bedplate of the machine with certain of the parts mounted thereon. Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section on the line m4 m4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the cooperating guide-cheeks removed from the bedplate. Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical section on the line m6 me of Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section approximately on the line 007 m7 of Fig. 6, some parts being broken away. Fig. 8 is a perspective View of one of the hook-magazines. Fig. 9 is an end elevation of one of the hook-magazines. Fig. 10 is a transverse section in the plane indicated by the lines m1. 001 on Fig. 8. Fig. 11 is a detail in Vertical section approximately in the plane indicated by the lines ocu w11 of Fig. 2. Fig. 11' is a skeleton View showing, on an alined scale, certain of the parts shown in Fig. 11. Fig. 12 is a detail in front elevation showing a portion of the feed-screw and a blade-carrying head shown in Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a section on the line 0013 w13 of Fig. 11. Fig. 14 is a vertical section on the line w14 .1:14 of Fig. 11. Fig. 15 is a horizontal section taken approximately n on the line x15 w15 of Fig. 2, some parts being 4clenching-dies.

removed and others being broken away. Fig. 16 is a vertical section approximately on the line x16 x16 of Fig. 15. Fig. 17 is a detail in face view of a clutch-ring removed from working position. Figs. 18, 19, and 20 are skeleton views in section approximately in the planes indicated, respectively, by the lines marked w18 m18, m19 m19, and m20 x20 on Fig. 2'. Figs. 21 and 22 are skeleton views in plan illustrating the actions of the chain, the staple-feeding plunger, the clenching-pincers, and the Figs. 21at and 22a are fragmentary views, on an enlarged scale, showing portions of thechain and portions of the devices for action thereon, which views correspond in the position of their parts, respectively, to Figs. 21 and 22. Fig. 23 is a detail View in front elevation, showing portions of the so-called cut-out device. Fig. 24 is a section on the line m24 xuof Fig. 23, some parts being broken away. Fig. 25 is a section on the line m25 w25of Fig. 24. Fig. 26 is/an enlarged view of the delivery end of the staplesupply holder. Fig. 27 is a side elevation of the upper end of the staple-supply holder and the lower end of a cooperating detachable supplemental section thereof. Figs. 28 and 29 are horizontal sections, respectively, on the lines w28 and w29 of Fig. 27. Figs. 30 and 31 `are views, respectively in side elevation and plan, showing asection of the chain which is the product lof the machine. Figs. 32 and 33 are detail Views in plan showing, respectively, one of the hooks and one of the linkforming staples of the chain.

Right and left as used in this description are taken with respect to Fig. 2 and with the observer assumed to be standing`facing the exposed front of the machine.

The characters a. et indicate a'suitable bedplate which is supported at the proper altitude by a flanged pedestal 0,2, bolted to the iioor. A long channel or screw-seat a3 extends longitudinally from end to end of the bed-plate a ct'. Secured to the bed-plate at the ends of the screw-seat a3 are suitable bearing-boxes a4.

Rigidly secured on the top of the bed-plate section a are heavy bearing-brackets a5, a5, a6, and a7, all of which are removed in Fig. 3, but which are shown in Figs. 1, 2, 11, 15, 16, and 24. Secured on the bed-plate section a near its extremities is a pair of bearing-plates a8, having bearing-hubs a9. (Best shown in Figs. land 3.)

The main driving-shaft b is loosely mounted in the pair of bearing-brackets a5 (see FigsA 1, 2, 15, and 16) and is provided with a series of cams 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, the functions and construction of which will be given in connection with the descriptions of the various mechanisms which they operate. As shown, the shaft b is also provided with a hand-wheel b', which enables it to be moved by handpower when desired.'

In the operation of the machine the shaft b receives a continuous motion from a constantly-running driving-pulley b2, which is loosely mounted on the projecting right-hand endof said shaft, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 15. The pulley h2 is provided with a notched clutch-ring b3, fixed thereon. (See Figs. 15 and 17.) A spring-pressed clutchdog b4, pivoted to a heavy collar b5, secured on the shaft b adjacent to the clutch-ring b3, coperates with the notches of said ring to connect said shaft for rotation with said driving-pulley. The dog b4 is released from the ring b3 by a shipper-collar b, which slides on the shaft b and is subject to the upper arm 117 of a vertical rock-shaft hs, mounted in suitable bearings blo, with its lower arm Z711 pivoted to a long link Z912. As best shown in Figs; 2 and 16, the left-hand end of the link 612, as shown in Fig. 2, projects Vthrough a suitable passage in the pedestal a2 and is connected to one arm of a bell-crank Z113, suitably pivoted to the said pedestal. The intermediate portion of the link i212 is connected to one end of a spring 614, the other end of which, as shown in Fig. 2, is attached to a'pin 515, depending from the bed-plate. The strength of this spring 614 is such that normally the spring-pressed clutch-dog b4 will be held out of engagement With the clutch-ring b?, and the driving-shaft b will stand idle. By stepping onto a footpiece b1, pivotedto the pedestal a2 'and connected to the bell-crank b13 by the rod b, the clutch-dog b4 is rendered operative. The driving-shaft b will'be driven as long as the footpiece is held down. Of

IOO

IIO

.course a suitable lock might be provided for holding the said clutch-dog in driving posi-vv tion.

` By reference to Fig. 32 it will be seen that! the hooks y have link-eyes y', lacing-lugs y2, and side lugs 1/3.

right-hand end the threads of the screw c are cut away, as shown at c; so that the finished chain will be dropped through theseat ag, which at this point is cut through the bed- An intermittent rotary movement sufficient t0 move the pairs of hooks in succession to the assembling-point is given to the screw c', preferably by an intermittent-motion device known to the craft as the Geneva movement and illustrated in Fig. 16. l As this movement is well-known, the following brief description thereof is sufficient: An arm d is fast to the `driving-shaft b and is provided with a laterally-projecting roller d', which is `adapted to engage intermittently with the radial grooves d2 of a star-wheel cl3, (shown as suitably mounted on a stud d) projected from the right-hand bearing-bracket d5. Between the radial slots cl2 the star-wheel d3 is provided with segmental notches d5, which t the periphery of a lock-disk di; carried by the driv- Gto 10, inclusive) are each made up of apair of angle-ironsjhaving parallel closely-spaced flanges, which are rigidly secured by small shouldered bolts f. Between the parallel ianges of said angle-irons fis a thin hookspacing `blade f2, which is provided at its outer edge with a series of hook seats or notchesf, as best shown in Fig. 7'. The hookseats f3 are of the proper form to receive the hooked ends ofV the hooks y, and they are so spaced that they will hold the hooks properly spaced for delivery to the feed-screw c. The blade f2 has slots f", as shown in Fig. l, through which the shouldered portions of the bolts f work to restrain said blade for movement transversely of the magazine. The blade f2 is held by friction between the angle-bars f, land at its ends it is provided with cam-shoulders f5 for a purpose which will hereinafter appear. In Fig. 7 the spacing-blade f2 is shown as partially retracted.

The hook-magazines are loaded with the hooks, while the spacing-blades f2 are forced outward to their limit. The hooks set in the magazines with their hook ends inward. By reference to Figs. 6, 9, and 10 it will be noted that the yholding-faces of the angle-irons f are rabbeted at f6 to receive the side lugs 'g3 of the hooks y.

The loaded magazines are placed on an inclined feed-deck g, which, as shown, is supported by arms g' from the bearing-plates as. By the feed-deck g the loaded magazines are directed to a rotary magazine holder afforded by a pair of sprocket-like disks g2, secured on a shaft gi, loosely mounted in the hubs a9 ofthe bearing-plates d8. These disks g2 are provided with notches g4, which afford clearance for the spacing-blades f2, and they are further provided with sprocket-teeth g5, adapted to engage notches f7, cut in the base webs or flanges of the magazine-bars f, which base-flanges, it will be noted, are curved to fit the peripheries of the said disks g2. 'By the teeth or spacing lugs g5 the magazines are properly held and alined and are delivered against the inner cylindrical surface of a concaveguide-block g, which extends nearly the full length of the magazine and isl provided at its 4ends with segmental retain- -ing-platesg7. The cylindrical inner surface of the guide-block g is provided with a series of segmental guide channels or grooves g8 of such number and spacing that they are adapted to receive the lacing-lugs y2 of the hooks y and properly guide thesame to the grooves of the feed-screw c. The overpois- IOO ing-weight of the several loadevd magazines von one side of the rotary magazine-holder serves to automatically move the same under the action of gravity. Immediately after the hooks of the magazines are delivered to the guide-channels g8 cam-surfaces g (see Figs. 6 and 7 )onthe upper extremities of the Aretaining-plates Q7 act on" the cam-shoulders f4 at the end of the spacing-blades f'of the magazines and gradually force the blades away from the hooks, so that when the hooks are delivered to the feed-screw the said spacing-blades are withdrawn therefrom sufficiently to clear the hooks and permit the same to be fed longitudinally of the screws.

"Vhen the hooks have been moved down- ,ward to a point vertically above th'e axis of the feed-screw 0, in which position the lacinglugs y2 thereof are brought into the grooves of said screw, A the said lacing -lugs strike IIO against the sharp and straight edgeof a fixed stop guide-bar g10,'as best shown' in Figs. 3 and 6. The hooks are; under the action of the feed-screw, fed step by step until the last hook is fed forward ont of themagazine, whereupon the emptied magazine, bein g h, (see Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 11,) which closely fit the upper surface of said screw and cause the hooks to continue their travel longitudinally of the screw. To hold the-hooks down in proper' engagement with the screw, a pair vof retaining plates or bars h' are mounted directly on top of the guide-bars h, preferably by means of slot and screw connections h2 and h3, which permit the retaining-plates h to be separated, so that when desired or necessary the hooks may be lifted from the screw. On their under inner edges the retainingplates h' are rabbeted at h1, as best shown in Fig. 4, so as to receive and overlie the side lugs .ys of the hooks y, thereby to insure the hooks being held down. The retaining-plates h' are yieldingly drawn into their closed positions, asindicated in Figs. 3 and 4, by means of a coiled spring h5, shown as applied to pins h6, that depend from said plates h' and work through suitable limiting-slotsh7 in the y bed-plate. By means of a toggle-lever hs, applied to studs h9 on said plates h and provided with a stop-finger hm, said plates may be held separated against the tension of the springs h5 when desired.

When the hooks are fed onward from the guide-bars h and retaining-plates h', they-are passed between a pair of properly-spaced guide-cheeks h11 and k12, which are rigidly secured to the bed-plate section a and are rabbeted at their inner edges at h13, so that they overlie the said lugs fy3 of the hooks and continue to hold the hooks down. These guidecheeks h11 k12 are best shown in Figs. 3 and 5.

lThe guide-cheek 71,11 is provided with a vertical staple-passage h14 and with undercut transverse blade-passages 'h15 and 71.16, while the guide-cheek k12 is provided with a transverse undercut blade-passage 7117, as best shown in Figs. 3, 5, and 11.

The staple-supply holder (best shown in Figs. 2, 1l, 11, 26, 27, 28, and 29) is afforded by a bark, suitably secured in vertical position on the face of the supporting-bracket a6,

` as shown, by means of a clamp 0.10. (See Figs.

1 and 13.) The bar k is provided with a staplereceiving rib 7c', which in cross-section flares slightly outward, as shown in Fig. 29, so as to hold the staples a, the prongs of which, it will be noted, converge slightly.

The lower end of the supply-holder lc terminates in position to deliver the staples directly into the staple-passage h of the guidecheek h11 and to permit but one staple to be fed under the same at one time. (See Figs.

l1l and 11a.) As illustrated in Figs. 27, 28,

and 29, holder lo is provided at its upper end with the socket-section k2, which is adapted to receive the grooved end las cfa supplemental supply-holder or charging-stick k1.

In Fig. 26 105 indicates a removable pin for temporarily holding up the stack of staples z. Mounted for reciprocating movements in a suitable seat extending transversely in the bed-plate section a in front of the feed-screw c is a divided or two-part slide 6 7, (shown best in Figs. 2, 3, 14, 12, and 22,) thesections of which are normally vlocked together by a spring-pressed lock-bolt 8, shown as mounted in the section 7 and engaging a notch in the section 6. The left-hand end of the lock-bolt 8 is at a certain time and in a manner hereinafter to be noted adapted to be forced into the notch 9 of the lock-block 10, secured on the bed-plate. The slide-section 6 receives positive motion from the cam 2 (see Figs. 2 and 18) through a bell-crank 11, pivotedon a shaft 12, supported by the bearing-brackets d5. The lower arm of th'ebell-crank 11 is shown as connected to driving-lugs 13 on said slide-section 6, and the other arm of the said bell-crank is provided with a roller 14, which works in a cam-groove 2ad of said cam 2. Working in a suitable seat extending transversely of the bed-plate section a at the rear side of the screw c is another slide 15,which, asshown, is provided with driving-lugs 16. The-slide 15 receives positive motion from the cam 3 (see Fig. 19) through a bell-crank 17, pivot-ed on ashaft 18, supported by the bearing-brackets a5. The lower arm of the bell-crank 17 is connected to the lugs 16 of said slide 15, while`- -the upper arm thereof is provided with a roller 19, which works in the cam-groove 3 of the cam 3.

A pincer-operating cam-plate 20, havin'gdiverging cam-grooves 2l and driving-lugs 22, is rigidly secured to a supplemental slide 23, mounted in a suitable seat in the slide 15, as best shown in Figs. 11, 14, 2l, and 22. The cam-plate 2O receives positive motion from the cam 5 (see Fig. 20) through a bell-crank 24, mounted on the shaft 18, previously noted. The lower arm of this bell-crank connects to the lugs 22 of the cam-plate 20, and the upper arm thereof is provided with a roller 25, which works in a cam-groove 5a of the cam 5.

The staple-feeding plunger fm is rigidly and, as shown, adjustably secured on the section 7 of the front slide, and the projecting operative end 'm' thereof is attened or reduced to blade-like form, to thereby adaptit for cooperation with the lower end of the staple- IOO IIS

are closed by the inward movement of the cam-plate 20 with respect to the slide 15.-

The coperating clenching dies p are mounted one on the rear slide 15 and the other on the section 6 of the front slide. The projecting operating endsp of these dies are also reduced to` thin blades.

It may be here stated that the blade m' of the feed-plungerm works through the passage 7L15 of the guide-cheekh11, that the blade p of the front die p works through the passage 7116 of said cheek 7L11, and that the blade vn2 of the pincers ln and the blade p of the rear die p work through the passage h1? of the guide-cheek 7112. The overlying portions of the guide-cheeks 77,11 k12 assist in holding the staples while they are being clenched to form the links. Attention is also called to the fact that the edges of the die-blades p are cut to the form which it isdesired to give to the outer sides of the completed links, as best shown in Fig. 211.

Under the action of the cams so fardescribed the operations of the feed-plunger, clenching-pincers, and the clenching-dies will be substantially as follows: In what we will assume for illustration to be the normal positions the parts stand as best indicated in Figs. 11, 11a, 1s, 19, 2o, 21, and 2r. The plunger-blade 'm' at this time holds up the column of staples z, as best indicated in Fig. 11a; but the first action ofthe cam 2 is to move the slide 6 7, and with it the staple-feeding plunger, outward far enough to allow the column of staples to lower and the bottom member to fall upon the bed-plate. The next action of the cam 2 is to throw the said feedplunger and also the front clenching-diep inward into the position indicated in Figs. 22 and 22, under which movement said feedplunger forces a staple through the eyes y of a pair ot' hooks positioned at the assemblingpoint. l/Vhile the positioned staple is held by the feed-plunger m the slide 15 and camplate 2O are given common movements under the actions of the cams 3 and 5, and the open pincers and the rear clenchingdie p are moved into the positions indicated in Figs.

Y22 and 22, in which position the open jaws of the pincers are so located as to engage the ends of the inserted staple. Under the immediately-continued movement of the cams 3 and 5 the slide 15 is held stationary while the cam-plate 20 is forced inward, thereby closing the pincers onto the ends of the inserted staple and partially clenching the same. The inward movements of the slidesection 6 and the slide 15, as above described, also forced together the clenching dies p against a partially-clenched link previously acted upon by the pincers, under an earlier feed movement-of the screw, thereby coupling the link.

As shown in Figs. 1l, 12, and 13, three spacing-blades?1 fr r2 are carried by a verticallymovable head lr3,which` is in turn carried by eral bulge, shown both in Figs. 2

a slide r1, mounted to move vertically in the bearing-bracket a6. The slide r4 is provided at its upper extremity with a roller rwhich works in a cam-groove 4a of the cam 4. Under the action of the cam 4 the spacing-blades r fr' r2 are moved downward and held in their operative positions (indicated in Fig. 12) during all the time the feed-plunger m, pincers n, and dies p are performing their various actions on the staples. The blade r works between the pair of hooks at the assemblingpoint. The blade r2 is passed through .the partially-formed link which is located between the clenching-diesp, and the intermediate die r is passed through the intermediate partially-clenched staple and simply assists in holding the engaged hooks in position.`

The so-called cut-ont device in its most approved form is best illustrated in Figs. 2,

2i, 22, 2s, 24, and 25.

The cam 7 actuates the cut-out device, and it is provided with a peripheral channel or cam-groove Z, which has a single jog or latand 23. A sleeve is loosely journaled in the bearing a7 and has fixed to its rear end an arm t', provided with a roller 2, which works in the groove l of the cam Z. A vibrating arm 3 is Vkeyed to the forward end of said sleeve and to the free upper end of this arm is pivoted a reversible dou ble-ended driving-pawl 1, which is provided with a depending reversing finger or projection 5. The driving-pawl tL1 is further provided with a depending V-shaped retaining-lug if, which cooperates with the reversely-beveled head of a springpressed plunger 7, mounted in the arm 3, to yieldingly hold the said pawl 1 operative in either position in which it may be set.

A short shaft s is loosely mounted in the sleeve t and projects at both ends. At its rear end said shaft 8 is shown as provided with a friction-disk 9, which is subject to an adjustable friction-clamp 10, anchored at 11 to the bearing a7. At its forward end said shaft 8 is keyed to a reversible ratchet-toothed disk 12, the teethof which are adaptedlfor cooperation with the reversible driving-pawl 1. In its outer face the disk 12 is provided with a retaining-channel 13, to which, as shown, a pair of reversing-stops 1'1 are adjustably secured. The disk 12 also carries a trip pin or projection 15. The reversing-stops 11 engage in succession with the trip-finger il5 of .the driving-pawl z',4 to move and reverse the action of said pawl.` a

Mounted ina bearing 0,11, secured on the bed-plate and in axial line with the notch 9 of the fixed lock-block 10, is a lock-'tripping plunger 16, which is yieldingly drawn toward the right by a coil-spring 17, connected thereto and to said bearing-box 0,11. The righthand end of the trip-bolt 1i stands in position to be engaged by the trip-pin 15 ofthe reversible ratchet-disk 12, and the left-hand end of said bolt stands in position to engage IOO IIO

the head of the lock-bolt 8 and force the reduced left-hand end into the notch 9 of the fixed lock-block 10.

For each rotation of the drivin g-shaft b and the cam Z, and hence for each feed movement of the feed-screw c, the vibrating drivingpawl t4 is given sucient movement to impart one tooth of movement to the ratchet-disk 12. With the said pawls set as shown in Fig. 23 said disk will be moved in the direction indicated by the arrow marked thereon ntil the right-hand reversing-stop 1514, by engagement with the reversingfinger155 of the pawl 154, reverses the action of said pawl. When said pawl t4 is reversed, said disk 1512 will be moved in a reverse direction until the left-hand stop 1514 engages the said trip-finger t5 and throws the pawl t1 back into the position indicated in Fig. 23. trip-pin 15 of said disk i12 will engage the tripplunger t1 and force the sameagainst the lock 8, while the slide 6 7 is moved to its eX- treme outer position, and while the Aplunger 1516,1ock 8, and notch 9 are alined and the blade m' of the feed-plunger m is withdrawn from under the stack of staples. When the lock 8 is moved out of engagement with the notch in the slide-section 6 and into engagement with the notch 9 of the lock-block IO, the said slide-section 6 is left free to impart the required movement to the front clenching-die p, while, on the other hand, the slidesection 7, with its staple-feeding plunger m, is locked stationary, so that a staple will be omitted from the chain and the chain-section.

With the above-described device it is evident that the chain-sections will have twice as many links as there are notches included between the reversing-stops 1514 of the disk'1512. To illustrate, if the reversing-stops1514 are set vfifteen notches apart the chain-sections will be separated by omitting a staple once in every lthirty feed movements. The reversingstops 1514 may be set to give chain-sections of any desired length.

The following table gives, briefly, the relative timing of the various parts, which are operated from the driving-shaft 3 and cams carried thereby, gured in degrees of movement of said driving-shaft. First, ninety degrees imparts complete feed movement to feed screw c. Between. fifty and ninety degrees, front slide 6 7, with staple-feed plunger m and front clenching-die p, is moved outward to limit. Between eighty and one hundred and thirty-five degrees, spacing-plungers fr r r2 are moved downward to operative positions,and are held down between one hunv dred and thirty-five and two hundred and seventy degrees. Between one hundred and thirty-live and one hundred and eighty degrees, front slide 6-7 with staple-feed plunger m and front clenching-die p are moved inward to limit. Between one hundred and eighty and two hundred and twenty-five degrees, rear slide l5 and camplate 20, with clenching-pincers '11J and rear clenching-die The parts are so timed that the p are moved inward to limit. Between two hundred and twenty-five and two hundred and sixty degrees, jaws of pincers are closed. Between two hundred and seventy and three hundred and thirty degrees, staple-feed plunger m, clenching-diep move outward or back to their normal position. Between ninety and one hundred and thirty-five degrees, drivingpawl t4 of the cut-out device receives its vibratory movement.

From the introductory outline and the foregoing detailed description it is thought that the construction and operation of the machine as an entirety must be distinct.

By actual usage the efficiency of the machine herein disclosed has been fully demonstrated.

It will be further understood that the machine is capable of general use wherever chains are to be formed from block-links and link-forming staples or similar chain-forming elements.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is as follows:

1. In a machine adapted to form a chain from hooks and link-forming elements, the combination with means for holding the hooks longitudinally spaced, of means for applying the link-forming elements to the pair of positioned hooks while longitudinally spaced.

2. In a machine adapted to form a chain from hooks and link-forming elements, the combination with means for holding the hooks longitudinally spaced, of means for feeding the prongs of the staples into eyes of the pair of positioned hooks, while longitudinally spaced, and means for clenching the ends of the said staples to complete the links.

3. In a machine adapted to form a chain from hooks and link-forming elements, the combination with means for intermittently feeding the hooks and holding the same properly spaced, of means for intermittently feeding the staples into eyes of the pair of positioned and longitudinally-spaced hooks, and means for clenching the ends of the inserted staples to complete the links.

4:. In a machine adapted to form a chain from hooks and link-termin g staples, the combination with means for feeding the hooks and holding the same longitudinally spaced, of a supply-holder for the staples, a staplefeeding device coperating with the delivery end of said holder to feed the staples, one at a time, into eyes of the pair of positioned and longitudinally-spaced hooks, and means for clenching the ends of the inserted staples to complete the links.

5. In a machine adapted to form a chain from hooks and link-forming staples, the combination with means for intermittently feeding the hooks and holding the same longitudinally spaced, of a supply-holder for the staples, a reciprocating feed-plunger coperating with the delivery end of the said holder to feed the staples, one at a time, into eyes of the pair of positioned and longitudinally- IOO IIO

spaced hooks, and means for clenching the ends of the inserted staples to complete the links.

G. In a machine adapted to form a chain "frolnhooks and link-forming staples, the combination with means for feeding the hooks 4and holding the same longitudinally spaced,

of means for feeding the staples into eyes of the pair of positioned and longitudinallyspaced hooks, a pair of clenching-pncers for partly clenching the ends of the inserted staples and a pair of cooperating clenchingdies for completing the links.

7. In a machine adapted to form a chain from hooks and link-formingstaples, the combination with means for intermittently feeding the hooks and holding the saine properly spaced, of a supply-holder for the staples, a reciprocating` feed-plunger cooperating with the delivery end of the said holder to feed the staples, one at a time, into eyes of a pair of positioned hooks, a pair of clenching-pineers for partially clenching the ends of the inserted staples, and a pair of cooperating clenching-dies for completing the links.

8. In a machine adapted to form a chain from hooks and link-forming staples, the combination with means for intermittently feeding the hooks and holding the same properly spaced, of a supply-holder for the staples, a pair of reversely-reciprocating slides, a feedplunger on one of said slides, cooperating with the delivery end of said staple-holder to feed the staples, one at a time, into eyes of a pair of positioned hooks, a pair of pincers carried by the other slide and operating to partially clench the ends of the inserted staples, anda pairof cooperatingclenching-dies carried,one by each slide, and operating to complete the links.

9. In a machine adapted to form achain from hooks'and link-forming staples, the combination with means for intermittently feeding the hooks and holding the same properly spaced, of a supply-holder for the link-forming staples, a pair of reversely-reciprocating slides, a feed-plunger on one of said slides cooperating With the delivery end of said holder to feed the staples, one at a time, into eyes of a pair of positioned hooks, a pair of pincers pivoted to one of said slides and operating to partially clench the ends of theinserted staples, a pincer-operating cam-plate movable first with and then With respect to the pincer-carrying slide, a pair of clenchingdies carried one by each slide and operating to complete the links, and automatic means for moving the said parts with properly-timed actions.

l0. In a machine adapted to form a chain from hooks and link-formingstaples, the combination With a feed-screw for feeding and holding the hooks longitudinally spaced, of means for applying the link-forming elements to the pair of positioned and longitudinallyspaced hooks.

11. In a machine adapted to form a chain from hooks and link-forming elements, the

combination with a feed-screw for feeding and holding the hooks longitudinally spaced, of means for holding the said hooks subject to said screw, and causing the same to move in a series extending in longitudinal line, parallel to'said screw, and means for applying the link-forming elements to the pair ot' positioned and longitudinally-spaced hooks.

12. In a machine adapted to form a chain from hooks and link-forming staples, the combination with an intermittently-movable feedscrew, for feeding and holding the hooks in a longitudinally-spaced series, of means for feeding the prongs of the lin k-forming staples into eyes of the pair of positioned and longitudinally-spaced hooks, and means for clenching the ends of the inserted staples to complete the links.

13. In a machine adapted to form a chain from hooks and link-forming staples, the combination with an intermittently-movable feedscrew and coperatin g guide-channel for guiding and feeding the hooks in a longitudinallyspaced series, of a staple-supply holder, a reciprocating feedplunger coperating with the delivery end of said holder to feed the staples, one at a time, into eyes of a pair of positioned hooks, and means for clenching the ends of the insertedstaples to complete the links.

14. In a machine adapted to form a chain from hooks and link-forming elements, the combination with a feeding device serving to hold the hooks properly spaced, of a plurality of magazines for the hooks, a rotary magazine-holder, and guide operating to deliver said'magazines to said holder, at one side thereof, Which holder is operated by the overpoising-Weight of saidmagazines and automatically delivers the hooks to said feed device.'

15. In a machine adapted to form a chain from hooks and link-.forming elements,the combination with a hook-feed device serving to hold the hooks properly spaced, of a magazine for the hooks,"means for moving said magazine into a position to deliver said hooks to said feed device, and means for applying the link-forming elements to the hooks.

16. In a machine adapted to form a chain from hooks and link-forming elements, the combination with a hook-feeding device serving to hold the hooks properly spaced, of a magazine for holding and spacing the hooks in an alined series, a rotary magazine-holder IOO IIO

operating to move said magazine transversely of the line of feed, into a position'to deliver said hooks to said feeding device', and means for applying the link-forming elements to said hooks While the hooks are subject to said feeding device.

17. In a machine adapted to form a chain from hooks andlink-forming elements, the combination With a hook-feeding device serving to hold the hooks properly spaced, ofa magazine for holding and spacing the hooks in an alined series, a stop-bar extending longitudinally of said feed device, a rotary magazine-holder operating to move said magazine transversely of the line of feed and to deliver' the hooks to said feed device and against said stop-bar, and means for applying the linkforming elements to the hooks while they are subject to said feed device.

'18. In a machine adapted to form a chain from hooks and link-forming elements, the combination with a feeding device serving to hold the hooks properly spaced, of a magazine for holdin g and spacing the hooks in an alined series, astop-bar extending in the line of feed, a rotary magazine-holder operating to move said magazine transversely of the line-feed and deliver the hooksto the said feed device and against said stop-bar, a grooved concave guide coperating with said holder to deliver said hooks to said feed device, and means for applying the link-forming elements to the hooks while they are subject to said feed devlce.

19. In a machine adapted to form a chain from hooks and link-forming elements, the combination with an intermittently-movable feed-screw,ofa magazine for holding and spacing the hooks in an alined series, means for moving said magazine transversely of the'line of feed, andinto position to deliver the hooks, properly spaced,to said feed-screw,and means for applying the link-formingelements to the hooks While they are subject to said feedscrew.

20. In a machine adapted to form a chain from hooks and link-forming elements, the combination with an intermittently-movable feed-screw, of a magazine for holding and spacing the hooks in an alined series, a stopbar extending in the line of feed and into a position to deliver said hooks,properly spaced, to said feed-screw and against said stop-bar, and means for applying the link-forming elements to the hooks while they are subject to said feed-screw.

2l. In a machine adapted to form a chain from hooks and link-forming elements, the combination with a hook-feeding device serving to hold the same properlyy spaced, of a magazine for holding and spacing the hooks in an alined series, a gravity-actuated holder for said magazine operating to move the same transversely of the line of feed and to deliver the said hooks, properly spaced, to said feeding device and means for applying `the link- 'forming elements to the said hooks while they are subject to said feeding device.

22. In a machine adapted to form a chain from hooks and link-forming elements, the combination with a feed-screw serving to hold the hooks properly spaced, of a stop-bar extending longitudinally of said feed-screw, a magazine for holding and spacing the hooks in an alined series, a gravity-actuated rotary magazine-holder operating to move said magazine laterally and to deliver the hook-s to said feed-screw, properly spaced, and against said stop-bar, and with the magazine clear of said stop-bar, whereby a continuous supply of loaded magazines is aorded.

23,In-a machine adapted to form a chain from hooks and link-forming staples, the combination with means for holding the hooks in a longitudinally-spaced series, of means for feeding the staples into the eyes of adjacent lon gitudinally-spaced hooks and clenchin g the ends of the same, one or more spacing-blades, and means for intermittently moving said spacing-blades between the assembled hooks, for coperation with the clenching means.

24. In a machine adapted to form a chain from hooks and link-formin g staples, the combination with means for holding the hooks spaced, of means for feeding the staples into eyes of the positioned hooks and clenching the ends of the same, and one or more blades movable between the assembled hooks forsecurely holding and insuring the accurate spacing of the hooks.

25. In a machine adapted to form a chain from hooks and link-forming staples, the combination with means for intermittently feeding the staples into eyes of the positioned Y hooks, means for clenching the ends of the inserted staples, and a pluralityT of spacingblades intermittently movable between the assembled hooks, for insuring accurate spacing of the hooks, and at least one, thereof, serving as a former or anvil for coperating with the clenching means.

26. In a machine adapted to form a chain from hooks and link-forming staples, the combination with means for intermittently feed- IOO ing the hooks and holding the same properly v spaced, of means for feeding the staples into eyes of the positioned hooks, a pair of clenching-pincers for partially clenching the ends of the inserted staples, a pair of coperating clenching-dies for completing the links, a spacing-blade insertible between the .hooks in front of said pincers, and a forming-blade insertible between the hooks, at apoint `between said clenching-dies.

27. In a machine adapted to form a chain from hooks and link-forming elements, vthe combination with means for feeding and holding the hooks in a longitudinally-spaced series, of means for intermittently appl-ying the link-forming elements to the pair of Apositioned and longitudinallyspaced hooks, and a cut-out device operating atpredetermined intervals to cause a link-forming element to be omitted and the chainv to be sectioned.

28. In a machine adapted to form a chain from hooks and link-forming elements, under a continuous action, the combination with a cut-out device operating, at predetermined intervals to cause a chain element to be omitted, which cut-out device involves a reversible, toothed ratchet member having a .pair of reversing-stops, of a vibrating reversible driving-pawl coperating with the -teeth of said toothed ratchet member, and itself IIO adapted to be reversed by the said reversingstop thereof.

29. In a machine adapted to form a chain from hooks and linkforming staples, the combination with means for intermittently feeding the hooks and holding the same in a longitudinally-spaced series, of a supply-holder for the staples, a reciprocating feed-plunger cooperating with the delivery end of said holder to feed the staples, one at a time, into eyes of the pair of positioned and longitudinally-spaced hooks, and a cut-out device operating at predetermined intervals to intercept the feed movement of said plunger and cause a staple to be omitted, thereby determining the length of the chain-sections.

30. In a machine adapted to form a chain from hooks and link-forming staples, the combination with means for feeding the hooks and holding the same properly spaced, of a supply-holder for the staples, a staple-feeding device operating to intermittently feed the staples from said holder and apply the same to the hooks, and a cut-out device comprising a reversible ratchet member having a pair of spaced reversing-stops, a vibrating reversible driving-pawl cooperating with the teeth of said toothed member and itself reversed by `the reversing-stops thereof, and a trip actuated by said 'reversible toothed member for causing said staple-feeding device to skip feed movements at predetermined intervals.

3l. In a machine adapted to form a chain from hooks and link-formin g staples,- the combination with means for feeding and holding the hooks properly spaced, of a supply-holder for the link-forming staples, a reciprocating feed-plunger coperating with the delivery end of said holder, to feed the staples, one at a time, into eyes of a pair of positioned hooks, a reciprocating driver for said feed-plunger, a lock normally connecting said feed-plunger to 'its driver, and a cut-out device for trip'- ping said lock out of action at predetermined intervals, comprising a ratchet-disk with a locktripping pin or part, a pair of reversing# stops on said disk, and a vibrating arm pro'- vided with a pivoted reversible pawl having a pawl-reversing finger which works betweenV` and is acted upon by said reversing-stops.

32. In a machine adapted to form a chain from hooks and link-forming elements, un; der a continuous action, of a cut-out device operating,at predetermined intervals,to cause a chain element to be omitted, which cut-out device involves Va reversible toothed ratchet member having a'pair of reversing-stops, at least one of which stops is adjustable with reA spect to the other, to vary the length of the chain-sections, and a vibrating reversible driving-pawl cooperating with the teeth of said toothed member and itself adapted to be reversed by the said reversing-stop thereof.

In testimony whereof I afx my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WHITCOMB L. JUDsoN.

Witnesses: y

ORIN STANFORD, W. M. FRANCE. 

